Trunk supporting exoskeleton and method of use

ABSTRACT

A trunk supporting exoskeleton comprises: a supporting trunk; thigh links configured to move in unison with a wearer&#39;s thighs; and first and second torque generators located on both left and right halves of the wearer substantially close to the wearer&#39;s hip. The torque generators couple the supporting trunk to the thigh links, and generate torque between the thigh links and the supporting trunk. When the wearer bends forward such that a predetermined portion of the supporting trunk passes beyond a predetermined angle from vertical, a torque generator(s) imposes a resisting torque between the supporting trunk and the thigh link(s), causing the supporting trunk to impose a force against the wearer&#39;s trunk, and the thigh link(s) to impose a force onto the wearer&#39;s thigh. When the predetermined portion does not pass beyond the predetermined angle, the torque generators impose no resisting torques between said supporting trunk and respective thigh links.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/944,635, filed Nov. 18, 2015, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/125,117,filed on Dec. 11, 2013 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,655,762 on May 23,2017, which claims priority to PCT application PCT/US12/41891, filedJun. 11, 2012, which claims the benefit of U.S. patent application61/495,484, filed Jun. 10, 2011, all of which are incorporated byreference in their entirety and for all purposes along with all otherreferences cited in this application.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to exoskeletons, and moreparticularly, to trunk supporting exoskeletons to reduce muscle forcesin a wearer's back.

In general, back support devices, which are configured to assist awearer in bending, lifting and/or standing upright, are known in theart. U.S. Pat. No. 6,436,065, U.S. Pat. No. 5,951,591, U.S. Pat. No.5,176,622, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,744,552. U.S. Pat. No. 1,409,326 and U.S.Pat. No. 4,829,989 describe devices where moment is created during abend to counteract the moments from a wearer's trunk gravity weight.Conventional systems utilize a passive, spring resistance to create atorque between the wearer's torso and legs. By creating a restorativemoment at the hip, the probability of injury of the L5/S1 area of thespine is greatly reduced. Once the angle between torso and leg reaches apredetermined angle during stooping, squatting, or walking, the devicesprovide resistance. However, none of the devices differentiate betweenwalking and bending or sitting and bending. This means the wearer cannotwalk comfortably using these passive devices since the wearer's legsmust push against the devices during walking. Similarly, the wearercannot sit comfortably using these passive devices since the wearer'slegs must push against the devices during sitting. This is uncomfortableand hazardous, preventing the wearer from moving around unrestricted,and is the most important reason to avoid the use of these systems invarious industrial settings.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to a trunk supporting exoskeleton,which is configured to be worn by a wearer to reduce the muscle forcesin the wearer's back during forward lumbar flexion. In general, thetrunk supporting exoskeleton comprises: a supporting trunk which isconfigured to be coupled to the wearer's trunk; two thigh links whichare configured to move in unison with the wearer's thighs in a mannerresulting in flexion and extension of respective thigh links relative tothe supporting trunk; and two torque generators located on both left andright halves of the wearer substantially close to the wearer's hip. Thetorque generators couple the supporting trunk to the respective thighlinks and are configured to generate torque between the thigh links andthe supporting trunk. In operation when the wearer bends forward in thesagittal plane such that a predetermined portion of the supporting trunkpasses beyond a predetermined angle from the vertical gravity line, atleast one of the first or second torque generators imposes a resistingtorque between the supporting trunk and at least one of the thigh links.This causes the supporting trunk to impose a force against the wearer'strunk and at least one of the thigh links to impose a force onto thewearer's thigh. When the predetermined portion of the supporting trunkdoes not pass beyond the predetermined angle from the vertical gravityline, the first and second torque generators, during the entire range ofmotion of the thigh links, impose no resisting torques between thesupporting trunk and the respective thigh links.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure willbecome apparent upon consideration of the following detailed descriptionand the accompanying drawings, in which like reference designationsrepresent like features throughout the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a trunk supporting exoskeleton of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a trunk supporting exoskeleton of the present disclosure ona forward leaning wearer;

FIG. 3 depicts a trunk supporting exoskeleton of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment of the torque generator;

FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment of the torque generator;

FIG. 6 depicts an embodiment of the torque generator;

FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment of the torque generator;

FIG. 6 depicts an embodiment of the torque generator;

FIG. 7 depicts an embodiment of the torque generator;

FIG. 8 depicts an embodiment of the torque generator;

FIG. 9 depicts an embodiment of the torque generator;

FIG. 10 depicts an embodiment of the torque generator;

FIG. 11 depicts an embodiment of the torque generator;

FIG. 12 depicts an embodiment of the torque generator;

FIG. 13 depicts an embodiment of the supporting trunk;

FIG. 14 depicts an embodiment of the adjustment of supporting trunk.

FIG. 15 depicts an embodiment of the adjustment of supporting trunk;

FIG. 16 depicts an embodiment of the adjustment of supporting trunk;

FIG. 17 depicts an embodiment of supporting trunk;

FIG. 18 depicts an embodiment of supporting trunk;

FIG. 19 depicts an embodiment of a release mechanism;

FIG. 20 depicts an embodiment of a release mechanism;

FIG. 21 depicts an anterior three-quarters view showing an embodiment ofthe trunk supporting exoskeleton worn by a wearer;

FIG. 22 depicts a posterior three-quarters view showing the trunksupporting exoskeleton in FIG. 21 worn by a wearer;

FIG. 23 depicts a posterior three-quarters view showing an embodiment ofthe trunk supporting exoskeleton with spine rotation capabilities beingworn by a wearer;

FIG. 24 depicts a posterior view showing the trunk supportingexoskeleton of FIG. 23 worn by a wearer with resistive elements toresist lateral spine rotation;

FIG. 25 depicts a posterior view showing the embodiment of FIG. 24 beingworn by a wearer wherein the resistive elements are leaf springs;

FIG. 26 depicts a top-down view at waist height showing an embodiment ofthe trunk supporting exoskeleton worn by a wearer, with a suspensionharness coupled to the torque generators;

FIG. 27 depicts a top-down view at waist height showing the embodimentof FIG. 27 worn by a wearer, wherein the suspension harness is coupledto the lower frame;

FIG. 28 depicts an anterior three-quarters view showing the trunksupporting exoskeleton of FIG. 21 with the wearer's body removed forclarity;

FIG. 29 depicts a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of thelower frame where lower corner bars are locked by retractable pins;

FIG. 30 depicts the embodiment of FIG. 29 where retractable pins havebeen retracted and lower corner bars are free to slide;

FIG. 31 depicts the trunk supporting exoskeleton of FIG. 28 illustratingupper frame adjustment capability;

FIG. 32 depicts a posterior three-quarters view of the trunk supportingexoskeleton in FIG. 28 illustrating upper front frame adjustmentcapability;

FIG. 33 depicts a posterior three-quarters view of the trunk supportingexoskeleton in FIG. 28 with external objects coupled to the spine frameand lower frame;

FIG. 34 depicts a posterior three-quarters view of an embodiment of thetrunk supporting exoskeleton illustrating attachment of an externalobject to the upper frame;

FIG. 35 depicts an anterior three-quarters view of the human machineinterface worn by a wearer;

FIG. 36 depicts a posterior three-quarters view of the human machineinterface and wearer of FIG. 35;

FIG. 37 depicts an embodiment of release mechanism;

FIG. 38 depicts an embodiment of release mechanism;

FIG. 39 depicts an embodiment of release mechanism;

FIG. 40 depicts a fall protection safety harness;

FIG. 41 depicts an embodiment of a coupling device;

FIG. 42 depicts an embodiment of a coupling device;

FIG. 43 depicts an embodiment of a coupling device;

FIG. 44 depicts an embodiment of a coupling device;

FIG. 45 depicts an embodiment of a coupling device;

FIG. 46 depicts an embodiment of a quick release mechanism that is usedto couple supporting trunk to a waist belt;

FIG. 47 depicts an embodiment of a button assembly;

FIG. 48 depicts a cavity formed within holding bracket to accommodate abutton assembly of one embodiment of a coupling device;

FIG. 49 depicts an embodiment of a button assembly and holding bracket,in which the button assembly and the holding bracket not coupled to eachother;

FIG. 50 depicts an embodiment in which the button neck and the buttonhead have moved into the upper cavity and the lower cavity;

FIG. 51 depicts an embodiment in which the button assembly is rotatedrelative to the holding bracket, such that the button assembly and theholding bracket cannot be separated from each other;

FIG. 52 depicts an embodiment in which the supporting trunk has aparticular orientation such that the button assembly can be moved intothe cavity;

FIG. 53 depicts an embodiment in which the supporting trunk and itsattached button assembly is about to rotate while the button assembly isinside the cavity;

FIG. 54 depicts an embodiment in which a supporting trunk has beenturned to fit the wearer;

FIG. 55 depicts an embodiment in which the button assembly is coupled toa waist belt;

FIG. 56 depicts an embodiment in which two button assemblies are mountedonto two sides of a wearer, and two holding brackets are coupled to twosides of supporting trunk;

FIG. 57 depicts an embodiment of an outer plate and an inner plate beingspring loaded together through a leaf spring;

FIG. 58 depicts an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 57;

FIG. 59 depicts an embodiment of a block with two openings for couplingto a waist belt;

FIG. 60 depicts an embodiment of a two-button assembly mounted on twosides of a wearer;

FIG. 61 depicts an embodiment of a block comprising at least fouropenings to allow for coupling of the block to two shoulder straps andtwo thigh straps;

FIGS. 62 and 63 depict embodiments of shoulder straps passing throughtwo openings opposite to each other to become thigh straps;

FIGS. 64 and 65 depict a front view and a rear view of the wearer wheretwo button assemblies are coupled to a fall protection safety harness attwo sides of the wearer;

FIG. 66 depicts an embodiment in which the human interface systemcomprises a climbing harness;

FIG. 67 depicts an embodiment in which the human interface systemcomprises a safety belt; and

FIG. 68 depicts an embodiment in which the human interface systemcomprises a tool belt.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of Trunk Support Exoskeleton 100. It isconfigured to be worn by a wearer 200 to reduce the muscle forces in thewearer's back during forward lumbar flexion. FIG. 2 shows wearer 200during forward lumbar flexion. Trunk Support Exoskeleton 100 comprises asupporting trunk 102 which is configured to be coupled to wearer's trunk202. Wearer's trunk 202 is defined as the central part of the human fromwhich the neck and limbs extend. The trunk includes the thorax and theabdomen.

Trunk Support Exoskeleton 100 further comprises a first thigh link 104and a second thigh link 106 which are configured to couple to respectivethighs 204 and 206 of wearer 200. As shown in FIG. 1, first thigh link104 and second thigh link 106 are configured to move in unison withwearer's thighs 204 and 206, respectively, in a manner resulting inflexion and extension of respective first and second thigh links 104 and106 relative to supporting trunk 102. Flexion of first thigh link 104relative to supporting trunk 102 is defined as when first thigh link 104and supporting trunk 102 rotate towards to each other. This is shown byarrow 220 in FIG. 2. Flexion of second thigh link 106 relative tosupporting trunk 102 is defined similarly. Extension of first thigh link104 relative to supporting trunk 102 is defined as when first thigh link104 and supporting trunk 102 rotate away from each other. This is shownby arrow 222 in FIG. 2. Extension of second thigh link 106 relative tosupporting trunk 102 is defined similarly.

Trunk support exoskeleton 100 further comprises a first torque generator108 and a second torque generator 110. First torque generator 108 isconfigured to generate a torque between first thigh link 104 andsupporting trunk 102. Second torque generator 110 is configured togenerate a torque between second thigh link 106 and supporting trunk102. In some embodiments, first and second torque generators 108 and 110are located on the left and right halves of wearer 200 substantiallyclose to wearer's hip.

In operation, when wearer 200 bends forward in the sagittal plane suchthat a predetermined portion of supporting trunk 102 passes beyond apredetermined angle 242 from vertical 244, at least one of the first orsecond torque generators 108 and 110 imposes a resisting torque betweensupporting trunk 102 and at least one of the first and second thighlinks 104 and 106. This causes supporting trunk 102 to impose asupporting trunk force 230 against wearer's trunk 202. In the embodimentof FIG. 2, supporting trunk force 230 is generally imposed on wearer'schest area 210. At the same time, at least one of the first and secondthigh links 104 and 106 impose a force onto wearer's thighs 204 and 206.Supporting trunk force 230 imposed by supporting trunk 102 againstwearer's trunk 202 helps reduce the muscle forces at the wearer's lowerback at the general area of 208.

As shown in FIG. 3, when wearer 200 is not in a bent position (i.e. whena predetermined portion of supporting trunk 102 does not pass beyondpredetermined angle 242 from vertical), first and second torquegenerators 108 and 110, during the entire range of motion of first andsecond thigh links 104 and 106, impose no resisting torques betweensupporting trunk 102 and the respective first and second thigh links 104and 106. This means as long as wearer 200 is not in a bent position(i.e. when a predetermined portion of supporting trunk 102 does not passbeyond predetermined angle 242 from vertical 244 as shown in FIG. 3),wearer 200 can walk, ascend and descend stairs and ramps without anyforce imposed on wearer 200 from supporting trunk 102. However, ifwearer 200 bends forward in the sagittal plane (i.e. when apredetermined portion of supporting trunk 102 passes beyondpredetermined angle 242 from vertical 244 as shown in FIG. 2),supporting trunk force 230 from supporting trunk 102 will help supportwearer's trunk 202. FIG. 2 shows an example where wearer 200 is bent.FIG. 3 shows an example where wearer 200 is not bent. FIG. 2 also showsan embodiment where predetermined angle from vertical is shown by 242.In this embodiment, a predetermined portion of supporting trunk 102 isshown by 246. Since wearer 200 has bent in FIG. 2 and predeterminedportion 246 has passed beyond predetermined angle 242, as represented byarrow 240, supporting trunk force 230 is imposed on wearer's trunk 202.Examples of predetermined angle 242 can be 5, 10 or 15 degrees. In someembodiments, predetermined angle 242 can be zero. Since wearer 200 hasnot bent in FIG. 3, predetermined portion 246 has not passed beyondpredetermined angle 242 and no force is imposed on wearer's trunk 202.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of first torque generator 108. Second torquegenerator 110 is a mirrored body of first torque generator 108 thus onlyfirst torque generator 108 is described here. In embodiments, firsttorque generator 108, in addition to other components, comprises anupper bracket 112 configured to be coupled to supporting trunk 102.Supporting trunk 102 is not shown in FIG. 4, but this coupling is shownin FIGS. 1 and 2. First torque generator 108 further comprises a lowerbracket 114 which is configured to be coupled to first thigh link 104,and rotatably coupled to upper bracket 112 around exoskeleton joint 126.In some embodiments, upper bracket 112 and lower bracket 114 rotaterelative to each other round exoskeleton joint 126. First torquegenerator 108 further comprises pendulum 116 which is rotatably coupledto upper bracket 112 around pendulum joint 117. First torque generator108 also comprises an engagement bracket 118 which is slidingly coupledto upper bracket 112. Arrows 132 and 134 show the sliding motion betweenengagement bracket 118 and upper bracket 112. In the embodiment of FIG.4, the sliding motion is provided by rail 136 and carriage 138. Rail 136is mounted on upper bracket 112. Carriage 138 is mounted on engagementbracket 118. First torque generator 108 additionally comprises acompression spring 120 which is rotatably coupled to lower bracket 114from its first end 122 around first end joint 123. Compression spring120 is also rotatably coupled to engagement bracket 118 from its secondend 124 around second end joint 125. In some embodiments as shown inFIG. 4, compression spring 120 is a gas spring comprised of a rod 128and a cylinder 129. In embodiments, first torque generator 108 alsoincludes locking pin 166 is used to lock the position of sliding block162 in channel 160.

In operation, when a predetermined portion 246 of supporting trunk 102passes beyond predetermined angle 242 (as shown FIG. 5), pendulum 116comes into contact with engagement bracket 118. This prevents engagementbracket 118 from sliding, causing compression spring 120 to be able toprovide a resisting torque between upper bracket 112 and lower bracket114. Further, when a predetermined portion of supporting trunk 102 doesnot pass beyond predetermined angle 242 (as shown in FIG. 6), pendulum116 is not in contact with engagement bracket 118. This causesengagement bracket 118 to be free to slide on upper bracket 112. Thismeans in this configuration, compression spring 120 is uncompressed anddoes not provide resisting torque between upper bracket 112 and lowerbracket 114. In this situation, wearer 200 can walk, ascend and descendstairs and ramps freely.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show an embodiment of engagement bracket 118. In thisembodiment, engagement bracket 118 comprises a few teeth 130. Engagementbracket 118 and pendulum 116 form a ratchet mechanism. A ratchetmechanism is a mechanical device that allows continuous linear or rotarymotion in only one direction while preventing motion in the oppositedirection. When pendulum 116 is in contact with engagement bracket 118,engagement bracket 118 cannot slide relative to pendulum 116 and upperbracket 112 along first direction 132, but is free to move along seconddirection 134. FIG. 5 shows a situation where a predetermined portion ofsupporting trunk 102 has passed beyond predetermined angle 242. Pendulum116 has come into contact with engagement bracket 118 due to its weightforce (i.e. under the force of gravity the weight of pendulum 116 causesit to swing into contact with engagement bracket 118). This preventsengagement bracket 118 from sliding along direction 132. This causescompression spring 120 to be compressed and to provide a resistingtorque between upper bracket 112 and lower bracket 114.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of first torque generator 108. In thisembodiment, first torque generator 108 further comprises of an angleadjustment mechanism 140 that allows the adjustment of predeterminedangle 242. Adjustment mechanism 140 can be used to modify predeterminedangle 242. In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 7 pendulum 116 ismagnetic. Angle adjustment mechanism 140 further comprises a magneticadjustment screw 142 a located in an adjustment screw hole 144 on upperbracket 112 in close proximity to pendulum 116. In operation, whenmagnetic adjustment screw 142 a is turned to change its positionrelative to pendulum 116, predetermined angle 242 changes. The closermagnetic adjustment screw 142 a is to pendulum 116, the largerpredetermined angle 242 would be. This is true because when magneticadjustment screw 142 a gets closer to pendulum 116, supporting trunk 102and consequently upper bracket 112 have to bend more in order for thegravity force acting on pendulum 116 to overcome the magnetic forceattracting pendulum 116 to magnetic adjustment screw 142 a. Adjustmentmechanism 140 can be used to set predetermined angle 242 at desiredangle. FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of magnetic adjustment screw 142 b. Inthis embodiment, magnetic adjustment screw 142 b is comprised of anadjustment fastener 146 and an adjustment magnet 148 where adjustmentmagnet 148 is coupled to adjustment fastener 146. In some embodiments,as shown in FIG. 8, adjustment magnet 148 is inserted into adjustmentfastener 146.

FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of torque generator 108 where a manuallymanipulated override mechanism 150 is used to completely preventpendulum 116 from contacting engagement bracket 118, and hencedeactivate torque generator 108. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG.9, pendulum 116 is magnetic and override mechanism 150 comprises of anoverride slider 151 sliding on upper bracket 112, and an override magnet152 coupled to override slider 151. In operation, when a wearer shiftsoverride slider 151 to its override position as shown in FIG. 9,override magnet 152 attracts pendulum 116 to its non-contacting positionallowing engagement bracket 118 to move freely. When override slider 151is moved to its non-override position as shown in FIG. 10, overridemagnet 152 does not attract pendulum 116 to its non-contacting position,allowing pendulum 116 to come into contact with engagement bracket 118when a predetermined portion of supporting trunk 102 passes beyondpredetermined angle 242. An ordinary wearer in the art would understandthat there can be other methods of preventing pendulum 116 fromcontacting engagement bracket 118.

The location of compression spring 120 relative to exoskeleton joint 126determines the magnitude of torque output of torque generator 108. Onecan change the location of first end 122 of compression spring 120 toproduce various torques. FIG. 11 shows a situation where the location offirst end 122 of compression spring 120 is at a distance 164 fromexoskeleton joint 126 which is farther than the distance 164 in FIG. 12,allowing for more torque. Accordingly, FIG. 12 shows the situation wherethe first end 122 of compression spring 120 is located closer toexoskeleton joint 126, wherein it produces less torque. A comparison ofspring distance 164 in FIGS. 11 and 12 shows more torque can be providedwhen spring distance 164 is larger. In some embodiments, this torqueadjustment is accomplished by changing the position of sliding block 162inside a channel 160. Sliding block 162 is rotatably coupled to firstend 122 of compression spring 120 and is capable of having severalpositions in channel 160. Channel 160 is formed inside lower bracket114. In operation, adjusting the position of sliding block 162 inchannel 160 allows for various positions of compression spring 120relative to exoskeleton joint 126 thus various torque levels. Lockingpin 166 is used to lock the position of sliding block 162 in channel160. As can be seen in FIGS. 11 and 12 sliding block 162 has threepositions. These positions are determined by three notches in slidingblock 162. By positioning sliding block 162 in various locations andlocking it by locking pin 166, one can provide various level of torque.

FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of supporting trunk 102. In this embodiment,supporting trunk 102 comprises first and second side brackets 402 and404 which are coupled to first and second torque generators 108 and 110.Supporting trunk 102 further comprises a chest plate 406 which is incontact with wearer 200. In particular, chest plate 406 is in contactwith the front of wearer's trunk 202 in the general area of saidwearer's chest 210 to impose supporting trunk force 230, as depicted inFIG. 2. In operation, when wearer 200 bends forwardly and torquegenerators 108 and 110 are engaged, chest plate 406 of supporting trunk102 imposes supporting trunk force 230 against the wearer's trunk 202and onto the wearer's chest area. As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 13,the location of two side brackets 402 and 404 can be adjusted relativeto first and second torque generators 108 and 110 to hold chest plate406 in proper position. FIG. 13 shows an embodiment where the positionof side brackets 402 and 404 can be adjusted. As can be seen in FIG. 14,side bracket 402 comprises several side bracket holes 410, and torquegenerator 108 comprises at least one pin 412. The choice of one of theside bracket holes 410 which at least one pin 412 can be insertedassigns the location of side bracket 402 relative to torque generator108. FIGS. 15 and 16 show in some embodiments, pin 412 is coupled totorque generator 108 through a spring loaded plate 414. Spring loadedplate 414 has two positions. In operation, when spring loaded plate 414is in its first position, pin 412 will pass through one of the sidebracket holes 410 and side bracket 402 is not free to slide. When springloaded plate 414 is in its second position as shown in FIG. 16, pin 412is not inserted in any side bracket hole 410 and side bracket 402 isfree to slide in torque generator 108.

FIG. 17 shows an embodiment wherein the horizontal distance between sidebrackets 402 and 404 can be adjusted through adjusting the couplinglocations of side brackets 402 and 404 relative to chest plate 406. Inthis embodiment, side bracket 402 comprises width adjustment holes 420.Chest plate 406 comprises a chest channel 422. Chest channel 422comprises several chest plate holes 424. The connection of chest plate406 to side bracket 402 with the help of fasteners 426 passing throughwidth adjustment holes 420 and chest plate holes 424 results inadjustment of the width of supporting trunk 102. FIG. 17 shows anembodiment where chest plate 406 further comprises a chest pad 408.Chest pad 408 is capable of moving and rotating relative to said chestchannel 422. In some embodiments, the motion and rotation of chest pad408 relative to chest channel 422 are limited in magnitude. Theserotations allow for minor movement of wearer 200 relative to chest plate406. During operation, when wearer 200 bends supporting trunk force 230is applied by chest plate 406 onto wearer's chest 210, as depicted inFIG. 2. It is important that supporting trunk force 230 is distributedon an area where the force distribution remains rather normal to thewearer chest. To this end, chest pad 408 has all the possible degrees offreedom relative to chest channel 422. These degrees of freedom ensureforce distributions remain rather normal to the wearer's chest contour.Additionally, no rubbing forces will take place between wearer's chest210 and chest pad 408.

FIGS. 21 and 22 show two views of another embodiment of supporting trunk102 worn by wearer 200. Supporting trunk 102 comprises a lower frame 302which is substantially located behind wearer 200. Lower frame 302 isconfigured to partially surround wearer's trunk 202 and is coupled tofirst and second torque generators 108 and 110 from two sides of wearer200. Supporting trunk 102 further comprises a spine frame 304 which islocated behind wearer 200, as depicted in FIG. 22. Spine frame 304, insome embodiments, is rotatably coupled to lower frame 302. Supportingtrunk 102 additionally comprises an upper frame 306 which is coupled tospine frame 304. In some embodiments, upper frame 306 is configured tobe in contact with the general area of wearer's trunk 202 to imposeforce 230 on front part of wearer's trunk 202. In some embodiments,upper frame 306 is in contact with the general chest area 210 ofwearer's trunk 202 to impose force 230. In some embodiments, upper frame306 is in contact with the general shoulder area 218 of wearer's trunk202 to impose force 230. Spine frame 304 in some embodiments rotatesrelative to lower frame 302 along an axis substantially parallel to oneof the wearer's lumbar spine mediolateral flexion and extension axes214. As shown in FIG. 3, spine frame 304 rotates about axis 308 withrespect to lower frame 302. Axis 308 is substantially parallel to one ofthe wearer's lumbar spine mediolateral flexion and extension axes 214.Arrow 310 shows the direction of rotation of spine frame 304 relative tolower frame 302 about axis 308. In some embodiments, spine frame 304rotates relative to lower frame 302 along an axis 312 substantiallyparallel to wearer's cranial-caudal axis 216. Arrow 314 shows thedirection of this rotation about axis 312.

FIG. 24 shows an embodiment where supporting trunk 102 further comprisesat least one resisting element 316 to provide resistance against therotational motion 318 of spine frame 304 relative to lower frame 302. Insome embodiments, resisting element 316 is selected from a groupconsisting of gas springs, leaf springs, tensile springs, compressionsprings, and combinations thereof. FIG. 25 shows an embodiment where theresisting element are leaf springs 319 a, 319 b. In some embodiments, asshown in FIG. 25, resisting elements 319 a, 319 b do not resist therotational motion for a limited range of motion of spine frame 304relative to lower frame 302. FIG. 26 shows a top view of an embodimentwherein lower frame 302 comprises a suspension harness 321. Suspensionharness 321 is coupled to trunk support exoskeleton 100 on each side ofwearer 200. Suspension harness 321 is configured in such a manner toprovide a distance 323 between wearer 200 and lower frame 302 to preventcontact between wearer 200 and lower frame 302. As can be seen in FIG.26, in some embodiments, suspension harness 321 is coupled to torquegenerators 108 and 110. As can be seen in FIG. 27, in some embodiments,suspension harness 321 is coupled to lower frame 302.

FIG. 28 shows an embodiment wherein lower frame 302 is adjustable inwidth to fit various people. Arrows 322 and 324 indicate directions ofincreasing and decreasing width, respectively. In some embodiments, thelower frame 302 is adjustable in depth to fit various people. Arrows 326and 328 indicate directions of increasing and decreasing depth,respectively. In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 28, lower frame 302comprises a lower middle bar 330 and two lower corner bars 332 a, 332ba, 332 a, 332 bb. Lower corner bars 332 a, 332 ba, 332 a, 332 bb can becoupled to lower middle bar 330 at various locations 334 on lower middlebar 330 to provide desirable width adjustment for lower frame 302 to fitvarious people.

FIGS. 28 and 29 show a cross section of an embodiment of lower frame 302where hand-retractable pins 336 are used to couple lower corner bars 332a, 332 b to lower middle bar 330 at various locations 334. As can beseen in FIG. 29, lower middle bar 330 has a channel cross section andcorner bars have rectangular cross sections to provide the slidingmotion along arrows 322 and 324 for adjustment. FIG. 29 shows theconfiguration wherein retractable pin 336 is inserted in lower frame302. FIG. 30 shows that the retractable pin 336 is retracted fromlocation 334, thus lower corner bars 332 a, 332 b are free to slidewithin lower middle bar 330.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 28, lower frame 302 furthercomprises two opposing side brackets 342 a, 342 b. Each side bracket 342a, 342 b can be coupled to the rest of lower frame 302 at variouslocations 344 on lower frame 302 to provide desirable depth adjustmentfor lower frame 302 to fit various people. In some embodiments, similarto adjustment procedure for width of lower frame, hand-retractable pins336 have been used to couple respective side bracket 342 a, 342 b tolower frame 302 at various locations 344. FIG. 31 shows an embodimentwherein upper frame 306 of supporting trunk 102 is adjustable in widthto fit various people. Arrows 346 and 348 indicate directions ofincreasing and decreasing width, respectively. In some embodiments,upper frame 306 of supporting trunk 102 is adjustable in depth to fitvarious people. Arrows 350 and 352 indicate directions of increasing anddecreasing depth, respectively.

Upper frame 306 comprises an upper rear frame 354 coupled to spine frame304. Upper frame 306 further comprises an upper front frame 356 coupledto upper rear frame 354. Upper front frame 356 is configured to be incontact with the front of said wearer's trunk 202 such as general areaof chest 210 and shoulder 218, as depicted in FIG. 21, for example. Insome embodiments as shown in FIG. 31, upper rear frame 354 comprises anupper middle bar 358 and two upper corner bars 360 a, 360 b. Uppercorner bars 360 a, 360 b can be coupled to upper middle bar 358 atvarious locations 362 on upper middle bar 358 to provide desirable widthadjustment for upper frame 306 to fit various people. In someembodiments, as shown in FIG. 32, similar to adjustment procedure forwidth of lower frame 302, hand-retractable pins 336 have been used tocouple upper corner bars 360 a, 360 b to upper middle bar 358 at variouslocations 362. In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 32, upper frontframe 356 comprises two connecting members 364 a, 364 b which arecoupled to upper rear frame 354. Upper front frame 356 further comprisesat least one chest plate 366 coupled to connecting members 364 a, 364 b.At least one chest plate 366 is in contact with the front of saidwearer's trunk such as the general area of chest 210 and shoulder 218.Connecting members 364 a, 364 b can be selected from a group consistingof rigid members, semi-rigid members, straps, adjustable-length straploops and combinations thereof.

FIG. 32 shows an embodiment in which the width of upper front frame 356is adjustable to fit various people. Arrows 368 and 370 indicatedirections of increasing and decreasing width, respectively. As shown inFIG. 32, in some embodiments, connecting members 364 a, 364 b can becoupled to the rest of upper rear frame 354 at various locations 372 toprovide desirable depth adjustment for upper frame 306 to fit variouspeople. In the embodiment of FIG. 32, various locations 32 are formed asslots to accommodate connecting elements 364 a, 364 b (e.g. straps). Insome embodiments, upper frame 306 is configured to slide linearly alongspine frame 304. Arrow 374 in FIG. 32 indicates directions of linearsliding motion along spine frame 304. In some embodiments, as shown inFIG. 32, upper frame 306 is configured to rotate on spine frame 304along the major axis 312 of spine frame 304. Arrow 314 indicates thisrotation. In some embodiments, trunk supporting exoskeleton 100 can alsobe employed to carry external objects. In some embodiments, externalobject holders 382 such as carrying hooks, as shown in FIG. 33, can bemounted on trunk supporting exoskeleton 100 to couple external objectsto trunk supporting exoskeleton 100. External object holder 382, asshown in FIG. 33, can be mounted on spine frame 304. External objectholder 382 can also be mounted on lower frame 302, also shown in FIG.33. External objects could be backpack, boxes and other heavy objects.FIG. 34 shows an exploded view of an embodiment in which an externalobject 378 can directly be coupled to upper frame 306. In thissituation, trunk supporting exoskeleton 100 further comprises a lockingelement 380 that restricts the sliding movement of upper frame 306 alongspine frame 304. FIG. 34 shows an embodiment of upper frame 306 whereinupper corner bars 360 a, 360 b have several coupling features such asthreaded holes 376 for coupling external object 378 to upper frame 306.

Trunk supporting exoskeleton 100 can be coupled to a human interfacesystem 500 which is configured to be worn by wearer 200, as depicted inFIG. 35 and FIG. 36. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 35 and FIG.36, human interface system 500 comprises a waist belt 502 which is wornon wearer's waist. In some embodiments, human interface system 500comprises two shoulder straps 504 worn on shoulders of wearer 200. Insome embodiments, human interface system 500 comprises a chest strap 506worn on the chest of wearer 200. In some embodiments, human interfacesystem 500 comprises two thigh straps 508 which are worn around thethighs of wearer 200. In some embodiments, human interface system 500comprises a bridge strap 510 connecting two thigh straps 508 behindwearer 200. In some embodiments, human interface system is selected froma group comprising of safety harness, safety belt, tool belt harness,tool belt, climbing harness, construction worker fall protection safetyharness and any combination thereof. The advantage of using a safetyharness, a safety belt, a climbing harness, or a construction workerfall protection safety harness as human interface system 500 is that twofunctions are achieved simultaneously: securing safety of wearer 200,and coupling trunk supporting exoskeleton 100 to wearer 200.

In general, human interface system 500 is intended to couple trunksupporting exoskeleton 100 to wearer 200. In some embodiments, humaninterface system 500 comprises an element or a combination of elementsselected from the group consisting of a waist belt 502 worn on the waistof said wearer, two shoulder straps 504 worn on the shoulders of wearer200, two thigh straps 508 worn around the thighs of wearer 200, bridgestrap 510 connecting two thigh straps 508, chest strap 506 and anycombination thereof. Depending on the intended use, one of ordinaryskill in the art can design human interface system 500 to comprise anyelement worn by a wearer of an exoskeleton, including but not limited tothe elements described above, as for example, work overalls or othertype of garment. These elements can be used, either individually or incombination, to couple trunk supporting exoskeleton 100 to wearer 200.

In some embodiments, human interface system 500 comprises belt 502 (suchas a safety belt or tool belt) as shown, for example, in FIGS. 46-55. Inother embodiments, safety harnesses used by workers in variousenvironments may be deployed as human interface system 500. In someembodiments, as shown in FIG. 65, human interface system 500 comprisesfall protection safety harness 570. In general, one of ordinary skill inthe art will recognize that human interface system 500 can comprise anysafety harness, such as, for example, a climbing harness or fallprevention safety harness, or any combination of safety harnessescapable of performing the indicated function of coupling trunksupporting an exoskeleton to a wearer, in addition to securing safetyfor the wearer. Thus, in some embodiments, human interface system 500 isselected from the group consisting of a safety harness, a safety belt, aconstruction worker fall protection safety harness, a climbing harness,a fall prevention safety harness, a tool belt, and any combinationthereof.

In general, there are various methods of coupling trunk supportingexoskeleton 100 to human interface system 500. The important issue is toensure trunk supporting exoskeleton 100 is coupled to human interfacesystem 500 such that trunk supporting exoskeleton 100 robustly stays onwearer 200 during all kinds of maneuvers. In some embodiments, torquegenerators 108 and 110 are configured to be coupled to human interfacesystem 500. In some embodiments, supporting trunk 102 is configured tobe coupled to human interface system 500. In some embodiments, torquegenerators 108 and 110 are configured to be coupled to waist belt 502.In some embodiments, supporting trunk 102 is configured to be coupled towaist belt 502. In some embodiments, supporting trunk 102 is configuredto be coupled to chest strap 506. In some embodiments, supporting trunk102 is configured to be coupled to shoulder straps 504. The coupling inall embodiments described above can take place through the use ofVelcro, buttons, lace, sewing, glue, buckles, and other couplingmechanisms. In fact, in some embodiments, trunk supporting exoskeleton100 is configured to be coupled to human interface system 500 throughthe use of a release mechanism 530 depicted in FIG. 37, for example.This is especially useful when trunk support exoskeleton 100 is usedwith a fall protection safety harness 570 shown in FIGS. 40A and 40B.The trunk support exoskeleton 100 can be coupled to fall protectionsafety harness 570 through release mechanism 530 described below.

FIG. 37 shows an embodiment of the release mechanism 530 which is usedto couple torque generator 108 or supporting trunk 102 to waist belt502. Release mechanism 530 comprises a holding bracket 532 and a button540. Holding bracket 532 comprises a cavity 534 formed within holdingbracket 532. Holding bracket 532 further comprises an unlocking lever536, rotatable about a joint 544. Unlocking lever 536 has two positions:locked position and unlocked position. FIG. 38 shows release mechanism530 where unlocking lever 536 is in unlocked position and button 540 ismoving toward cavity 534. FIG. 39 shows release mechanism 530 wherebutton 540 has moved to its final destination and unlocking lever 536 isin locked position. In some embodiments, unlocking lever 536 is springloaded relative to holding bracket 532. This causes the unlocking levelpositions itself to locked position. FIG. 37 shows an embodiment wheretorsional spring 542 brings unlocking lever 536 to its locked position.In operation when button 540 has been placed in cavity 534, button 540cannot be removed if unlocking lever 536 is in its locked position.However, button 540 is free to be removed from cavity 534 if unlockinglever 536 is in its unlocked position. In some embodiments, button 540is coupled to waist belt 502 and holding bracket 532 is coupled to trunksupporting exoskeleton 100. In some embodiments, holding bracket 532 iscoupled to waist belt 502 and button 540 is coupled to trunk supportingexoskeleton 100. In some embodiments, button 540 is coupled to waistbelt 502 and holding bracket 532 is coupled to torque generator 108. Insome embodiments, holding bracket 532 is coupled to waist belt 502 andbutton 540 is coupled to torque generator 108. In some embodiments,button 540 is coupled to waist belt 502 and holding bracket 532 iscoupled to supporting trunk 102. In some embodiments, holding bracket532 is coupled to waist belt 502 and button 540 is coupled to supportingtrunk 102.

FIG. 19 shows another embodiment of the quick release mechanism 590which is used to couple torque generator 108 or supporting trunk 102 towaist belt 502. Quick release mechanism 590 comprises a holding bracket532 and a button 540. Holding bracket 532 comprises a cavity 534 formedwithin holding bracket 532. Holding bracket 532 further comprises anunlocking lever 536. Unlocking lever 536 has two positions: lockedposition and unlocked position. FIG. 19 shows quick release mechanism590 where button 540 is moving toward cavity 534. FIG. 20 shows quickrelease mechanism 590 where button 540 has moved to its finaldestination and unlocking lever 536 is in locked position. In thisembodiment unlocking lever 536 is a leaf spring and when it is pushedbutton 540 can be removed from cavity 534.

There are many methods of coupling either button 540 or holding bracket532 to waist belt 502 of human interface system 500 or fall protectionsafety harness 570. FIG. 41 shows an embodiment of a coupling device,clamping device 550, which that allows for such a safe coupling ofbutton 540 or holding bracket 532 to any waist belt 502 of humaninterface system 500 or fall protection safety harness 570. Clampingdevice 550 comprises an outer plate 552 which is configured to becoupled to exoskeleton and in inner plate 554. Outer plate 552 hasinterface or coupling features such as threaded holes 588 to couple to aholding bracket 532 or button 540, as shown in FIG. 43. In someembodiments, inner plate 554 comprises cavity 564 to allow the belt tocurve. In operation when inner plate 554 and outer plate 552 are pushedagainst each other, waist belt 502 is clamped between inner plate 554and outer plate 552. In some embodiments, inner plate 554 and outerplate 552 rotate relative to each other along axis 556. Arrow 562 showsthe direction of motion inner plate 554 and outer plate 552 relative toeach other. In some embodiments, a torsion spring 560 can be used tokeep two inner plate 554 and outer plate 552 either open or closedrelative to each other. FIG. 42 shows the configuration where two innerplate 554 and outer plate 552 are in open position. FIG. 43 shows thesituation where waist belt 502 of human interface system 500 or fallprotection safety harness 570 is clamped in clamping device 550. Outerplate 552 has interface features such as threaded holes 588 to couple toa holding bracket 532 or a button 504. Spring plunger 558 is used tolock and release outer plate 552 from its clamping position. When springplunger 558 is pulled out plate 552 gets released. In some embodiments,inner plate 554 and said outer plate 552 are pushed against each otherby use of fasteners. FIG. 40 shows an embodiment where clamping device550 is employed to couple an exoskeleton to fall protection safetyharness 570. FIGS. 44 and 45 show another embodiment of coupling device580 to couple an exoskeleton to a waist belt 502 worn by a wearer.Coupling device 580 comprises a block 582. Block 582 comprises twoopenings 584. When waist belt 502 passes through two openings 584, waistbelt 502 is secured to block 582. Coupling features 588 are used tocouple block 582 to an exoskeleton.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 18, thigh links 104 and 106further comprise two rotary abduction-adduction axes 434 and 436. Sincethigh links 104 and 106 are mirrored, only thigh link 104 is describedhere. As shown in FIG. 18, thigh links 104 and 106 are able to rotatealong axes 434 and 436. In some embodiments, thigh links 104 comprisesat least one thigh brace 430 configured to couple to wearer's thigh.Thigh brace 430 comprises any material or combination of materialscapable of performing the indicated functions. Examples of materials ofthigh brace 430 includes, without limitation, fabric materials, plasticmaterials, leather materials, carbon fiber materials, metallicmaterials, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, thigh links104 and 106 are adjustable in length for to fit various wearers. Asshown in FIG. 18, in some embodiments, thigh holes 433 and fasteners 432are used to adjust the location of thigh brace 430.

In general, human interface system 500 is intended to couple trunksupporting exoskeleton 100 to wearer 200. In some embodiments, as forexample shown in FIG. 35 and FIG. 36, human interface system 500comprises waist belt 502, which is configured to be worn on the waist ofwearer 200. In some embodiments, human interface system 500 comprisestwo shoulder straps 504, which are configured to be worn on theshoulders of wearer 200. In some embodiments, human interface system 500comprises chest strap 506, which is configured to be worn on the chestof wearer 200. In some embodiments, human interface system 500 comprisestwo thigh straps 508, which are configured to be worn around the thighsof wearer 200. In some embodiments, human interface system 500 comprisesbridge strap 510, connecting two thigh straps 508 behind wearer 200. Ingeneral, human interface system 500 is configured to couple trunksupporting exoskeleton 100 to wearer 200. Human interface system 500 maycomprise any device or any combination of devices capable of performingthe indicated function. In particular, human interface system 500 maycomprise an element or a combination of elements selected from the groupconsisting of waist belt 502 (configured to be worn on the waist ofwearer 200), two shoulder straps 504 (configured to be worn on theshoulders of wearer 200), two thigh straps 508 (configured to be wornaround the thighs of wearer 200), bridge strap 510 (for connecting twothigh straps 508), chest strap 506, and any combination thereof.Depending on the work environment, an ordinary skilled in the art candesign human interface system 500 to comprise an element or acombination of elements described above. These elements can be used as ahuman interface system, either individually or in combination, to coupletrunk supporting exoskeleton 100 and wearer 200 to each other.

Also provided is a safety harnesses, which may be used by workers invarious environments (e.g., construction sites and ship buildingfacilities) and which may be deployed as human interface system 500. Insome embodiments, as shown in FIG. 40, human interface system 500comprises fall protection safety harness 570. In some embodiments, asshown in FIG. 66, human interface system 500 comprises a climbingharness. In some embodiments, human interface system 500 comprises afall prevention safety harness. In general, an ordinary skilled in theart can recognize that human interface system 500 can comprise anysafety harness or combination of safety harnesses capable of performingthe indicated function of coupling trunk supporting exoskeleton 100 towearer 200 in addition to securing safety for the wearer. It should beunderstood, human interface system 500 can be selected from the groupcomprising of a safety harness, a safety belt, a fall protection safetyharness, a climbing harness, a fall prevention safety harness, and anycombination thereof. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 68, humaninterface system 500 comprises tool belt 533. Tool belt 533, as shown inFIG. 68, may comprise holster 535 to keep various tools. In someembodiments, as shown in FIG. 67, human interface system 500 comprisessafety belt 531. Safety belt 531, shown in FIG. 67, may comprise atleast one hook 503, to secure wearer 200 to a structure for safety.

Provided are various methods of coupling trunk supporting exoskeleton100 to human interface system 500. The important issue is to ensuretrunk supporting exoskeleton 100 is coupled to human interface system500 such that trunk supporting exoskeleton 100 robustly stays on wearer200 during all kinds of maneuvers. The advantage of using a safetyharness, a safety belt, a climbing harness, and/or a fall protectionsafety harness as human interface system 500 is that two functions areachieved simultaneously: the wearer's safety is secured, and trunksupporting exoskeleton 100 is coupled to wearer 200.

This disclosure teaches how trunk supporting exoskeleton 100 can becoupled to human interface system 500. One way is to ensure humaninterface system 500 is already coupled to the rest of trunk supportingexoskeleton 100 before wearing trunk supporting exoskeleton 100. Anotherway is to wear human interface system 500 first. After human interfacesystem 500 is worn, wearer 200 will couple the rest of trunk supportingexoskeleton 100 to human interface system 500. To realize this feature,robust coupling device 613 may be used to couple human interface system500 to the rest of trunk supporting exoskeleton 100. In general couplingdevice 613 may be designed to couple human interface system 500 and atleast a component of trunk supporting exoskeleton 100 together. Variousoptions are within the scope of this disclosure. In some embodiments,supporting trunk 102 can be coupled to human interface system 500. Insome embodiments, torque generator 108 and 110 can be coupled to humaninterface system 500. In some embodiments, thigh links 104 and 106 canbe coupled to human interface system 500. In general, human interfacesystem 500 can be coupled to a component or combination of componentsselected from a set compromising supporting trunk 102, torque generators108 and 110 and thigh links 104 and 106.

This disclosure teaches the general form of coupling device 613 thatallows trunk supporting exoskeleton 100 to be coupled to its wearer 200.An embodiment of coupling device 613 is shown in FIG. 46 which compriseshuman interface system 500 and quick release mechanism 610. Humaninterface system 500, which may comprise waist belt 502 (as shown inFIG. 46), may be configured to be worn by wearer 200. Quick releasemechanism 610, which may comprise at least a first configuration and asecond configuration, for coupling and uncoupling human interface system500 (comprising waist belt 502 in FIG. 46) to at least one component oftrunk supporting exoskeleton 100. Trunk supporting exoskeleton 100 isnot shown in FIG. 46. However, FIGS. 52, 53, 54 and 56 show trunksupporting exoskeleton 100 in conjunction with coupling device 613(quick release mechanism 610 and human machine interface 500).

The operation of coupling device 613 is described below. When quickrelease mechanism 610 is in the first configuration, quick releasemechanism 610 is configured to couple trunk supporting exoskeleton 100to human interface system 500 in a manner that prevents trunk supportingexoskeleton 100 from becoming uncoupled from human interface system 500.When quick release mechanism 610 is in the second configuration, quickrelease mechanism 610 is configured in a manner to allow trunksupporting exoskeleton 100 to be uncoupled from human interface system500. This allows the wearer wear human interface 500 first. After humaninterface 500 is worn, wearer 200 will couple the rest of trunksupporting exoskeleton 100 to human interface 500 through the use ofquick release mechanism 610.

FIG. 46 shows an embodiment of quick release mechanism 610 for couplingtrunk support exoskeleton 100 and human interface system 500 to eachother. FIG. 46 specifically depicts the coupling of supporting trunk 102(a component of trunk support exoskeleton 100) to waist belt 502, whichmay be also a tool belt, a safety belt or any kind of belt (or, moregenerally, a component of human interface system 500). Although thisexample is described in the context of trunk support exoskeleton 100, itwill be understood that quick release mechanism 610 described below canbe used to couple any exoskeleton to human interface system 500. Quickrelease mechanism 610 may comprise holding bracket 612 and buttonassembly 614. Button assembly 614 and holding bracket 612, each isoperable to be coupled to either supporting trunk 102 or waist belt 502.For example, if holding bracket 612 is coupled to supporting trunk 102(or torque generators 108 and 110, or thigh links 104 and 106), thenbutton assembly 614 will be coupled to waist belt 502 (shown in FIG.46). In another example, if holding bracket 612 is coupled to waist belt502, then button assembly 614 will be coupled to supporting trunk 102(or torque generators 108 and 110). For brevity, only the case wherebutton assembly 614 is coupled to a waist belt 502 is described here.

FIG. 46 shows button assembly 614 is coupled to waist belt 502. Althoughnot shown in FIG. 46, holding bracket 612 is coupled to at least onecomponent of trunk supporting exoskeleton 100. FIG. 52 shows holdingbracket 612 is coupled to torque generator 112. In some embodiments,holding bracket 612 is coupled to torque generators 108 and 110. In someembodiments, holding bracket 612 is coupled to supporting trunk 102. Insome embodiments, holding bracket 612 is coupled to thigh links 104 and106. Fastener holes 616 are created in holding bracket 612 to coupleholding bracket 612 to at least one component of trunk supportingexoskeleton 100 (e.g. supporting trunk 102).

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 47, button assembly 614 comprisesbutton head 618 and button neck 620. Button neck 620 may be coupled toouter plate 552. Button neck 620, button head 618 and outer plate 552are either made as one part or several parts coupled to each other. FIG.47 shows button assembly 614, in which button neck 620, button head 618and outer plate 552 are separated for clarity. One of ordinary skill inthe art would be able to design all kinds of button assembly with theintended function described below.

As shown in FIG. 46 and FIG. 48, in some embodiments, cavity 623 isformed within holding bracket 612. In some embodiments, cavity 623comprises lower cavity 624 and upper cavity 626, which are formed withinholding bracket 612 to accommodate button head 618 and button neck 620.In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 46 and FIG. 48, lower cavity 624has the same shape of button head 618 and button head 618 can easilyslide into lower cavity 624. However, upper cavity 626 has a shape suchthat button neck 620 can be moved into upper cavity 626 only along aparticular direction.

FIG. 49 shows button assembly 614 and holding bracket 612 when they arenot coupled to each other. When holding bracket 612 is moved relative tobutton assembly 614 along arrow 628, button neck 620 and button head 618move into upper cavity 626 and lower cavity 624. This is shown in FIG.50. Button neck 620 has a minimum cross section profile 631 (measured asd) that can be moved into upper cavity 626 only along the directionshown in FIG. 49. This is true because upper cavity 626 has an openingprofile 633 (measured as h) that can accommodate button neck 620 onlyalong direction 628. It can be observed in FIGS. 47, 48 and 49 thatbutton neck 620 has a minimum cross section profile 631 (measured by d)and upper cavity 626 has an opening 633 (measured by d). In thisembodiment, d is smaller than h and therefore button assembly 614 can bemoved into cavity 623 only when button assembly 614 and cavity 623 arealigned relative to each other as shown by arrow 628.

Once button assembly 614 is moved into holding bracket 612, then it canalways come out along the same direction. However, if one rotates buttonassembly 614 relative to holding plate 612 (as shown in FIG. 51), buttonassembly 614 and holding bracket 612 cannot be separated from eachother. In order to separate holding bracket 612 from button assembly614, button assembly 614 and holding bracket 612 need to be rotated tobe in the orientation shown in FIG. 50.

FIG. 52 shows the situation where supporting trunk 102 has a particularorientation such that button assembly 614 can be moved into cavity 623.FIG. 53 shows the situation where supporting trunk 102 and its attachedbutton assembly 614 is about to rotate along direction arrow 615 whilebutton assembly 614 is inside cavity 623. FIG. 54 shows the situationwhere supporting trunk 102 has rotated along direction arrow 615 to fitwearer 200. In this situation (FIG. 54) supporting trunk 102 cannot beseparated from human interface 500. One needs to rotate supporting trunk102 such that button assembly 614 can be moved out of cavity 623.

For clarity, this disclosure demonstrates the concept by using thedimensions of minimum cross section profile 631 (measured by d) andopening profile 633 (measured by h.) However, it can be understood, oneordinary skilled in the art can arrive at various shapes of minimumcross section profile 631 and opening profile 633 such that buttonassembly 614 can be moved into and come out of cavity 623 only along aparticular direction.

A teaching of this disclosure is that button assembly 614 comprises aminimum cross section profile 631 and cavity 623 comprises openingprofile 633 such that minimum cross section profile 631 (shown by d inFIG. 52) is equal or smaller than the cavity profile 633 (shown by h inFIG. 52). In operation, when button assembly 614 is oriented such thatminimum profile 631 is face to face with the cavity opening profile 633,button assembly 614 can be inserted into cavity 623 and moved out ofcavity 623. When button assembly 614 is inserted into cavity 623 andaligned such that minimum cross section profile 631 is not face to facewith said cavity opening profile 631, button assembly 614 cannot beremoved out of cavity 623.

As shown in FIGS. 46 and 52, holding bracket is coupled to at least acomponent of trunk supporting exoskeleton 100 and button assembly 614 iscoupled to at least a component of human interface 500. One can consideran inverse approach where holding bracket is coupled to at least acomponent of human interface system 500 and button assembly 614 iscoupled to at least a component of trunk supporting exoskeleton 100(e.g. torque generator 108 and 110 or supporting trunk 102).

Also note that although this coupling method is described here for thetrunk support exoskeleton 100, it will be understood that the couplingmethod described above can be used to couple any exoskeleton to humaninterface system 500. One can consider a situation where holding bracket612 is coupled to at least a component of human interface system 500 andbutton assembly 614 is coupled to at least a component of anexoskeleton. Alternatively, button assembly 614 can be coupled to atleast a component of human interface system 500 and holding bracket 612can be coupled to at least a component of an exoskeleton.

The connection of button assembly 614 or holding bracket 612 to humaninterface system 500 can be done through several methods. As shown inembodiment of FIG. 46, clamping device 550 can be used to couple humaninterface system 500 to trunk support exoskeleton 100. Clamping device550 comprises outer plate 552 and inner plate 554. Outer plate 552 isconfigured to be coupled to trunk support exoskeleton 100. In operation,when inner plate 554 and outer plate 552 are pushed against each other,at least one component of human interface system 100 is clamped betweeninner plate 554 and outer plate 552. In some embodiments, outer plate552 is pushed to inner plate 554 through two fasteners 632. In someembodiments waist belt 502 is clamped in between outer plate 552 andinner plate 554 by use of two fasteners 632. FIG. 55 shows the buttonassembly 614 is coupled to waist belt 502 through clamping device 550.FIG. 56 shows a view where two button assemblies 614 are mounted ontotwo sides of wearer 200 and two holding brackets 612 are coupled to twosides of supporting trunk 102 through the use of clamping devices 550.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 57, outer plate 552 and innerplate 554 are pushed toward each other through leaf spring 634. FIG. 58is the exploded view of arrangement of FIG. 57 for more clarity. Holes636 are provided for fasteners 632 if further clamping force is needed.Hole 638 is provided on outer plate 552 for connecting button assembly614 to outer plate 552. Waist belt 502 can easily be clamped betweenouter plate 552 and inner plate 554. In some embodiments, as shown inFIG. 57, leaf spring 634 is used to keep inner plate 554 and outer plate552 in an open position relative to each other. This allows the quickmovement of clamping device 550 relative to human machine interface 500.In this case, holes 636 are provided for fasteners 632 to provideclamping force. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 42, inner plate554 and outer plate 552 are capable of rotation relative to each other.In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 42, inner plate 554 and outerplate 552 rotate relative to each other along axis 556. Arrow 562 showsthe direction of motion inner plate 554 and outer plate 552 relative toeach other.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 41, 42 and 43, clamping device550 further comprises spring plunger 558 configured to lock and releaseouter plate 552 from its clamping position. When spring plunger 558 ispulled, outer plate 552 gets released. Although FIGS. 41, 42 and 43 showthe coupling action to waist belt 502, one can clamp other components ofhuman interface system 500. In some embodiments, clamping device 550 canbe used to clamp shoulder strap 504. In some embodiments, clampingdevice 550 can be used to clamp thigh strap 508.

In some embodiments, (as shown in FIGS. 57 and 58) coupling device 551may be used for coupling any type of exoskeleton to wearer 200. Ingeneral, this disclosure describes coupling device 551 that compriseshuman interface system 500 configured to be worn by the wearer, and aclamping device 550 for coupling and uncoupling exoskeleton 100 to andfrom human interface system 500 (FIG. 57 and FIG. 58). Clamping device550 comprises an outer plate 552 and an inner plate 554. The outer plate552 is configured to be coupled to exoskeleton. In operation, when innerplate 554 and outer plate 552 are pushed against each other, at leastone component of human interface system 500 is clamped between innerplate 554 and outer plate 552.

FIGS. 59 and 60 shows another embodiment of the coupling device 580 forcoupling trunk supporting exoskeleton 100 to wearer 200. Coupling device580 comprises a human interface system 500 configured to be worn by thewearer. Coupling device 580 further comprises block 582. Block 582, asshown FIGS. 44, 45 and 59, has at least two openings 584. Block 582 isconfigured to be coupled to trunk support exoskeleton 100. Couplingfeatures 588 (shown in FIG. 45) are used to couple block 582 to trunksupporting exoskeleton 100. At least one component of human interface500 passes through two openings 584. As shown in FIGS. 45 and 60 whenwaist belt 502 (a component of human interface system 500) passesthrough two openings 584, waist belt 502 is secured to block 582.

FIG. 59 shows an embodiment of the coupling device 580 for couplingtrunk supporting exoskeleton 100 to wearer 200. Coupling device 580comprises human interface system 500 (waist belt 502 as shown in FIG.59) configured to be worn by the wearer. As shown in FIG. 59, when waistbelt 502 (a component of human interface system 500) is coupled to twoopenings 584, waist belt 502 is secured to block 582. As shown in FIG.59, button assembly 614 is coupled to block 582 for coupling to acomponent of trunk supporting exoskeleton 100. Although above describesthe coupling of button assembly 614 to waist belt 502, it is understoodthat one of ordinary skill in the art can develop various methods ofcoupling holding bracket 612 to block 582. It will further be understoodthat coupling device 580 shown in FIGS. 44, 45, 59 and 60 can beemployed to couple any exoskeleton to human interface system 500.

FIG. 61 shows another embodiment of block 582 with four openings 584.These openings allow for coupling of block 582 to two shoulder straps504 and two thigh straps 508 as shown in FIGS. 62 and 63. Shoulder strap504 passes through two openings opposite to each other to become thighstrap 508 as shown in FIGS. 64 and 65. In operation when shoulder strap504 passes through two opposite openings 584, block 582 is secured toshoulder strap 504. Additionally, when thigh strap 508 passes throughtwo opposite openings 584, block 582 is secured to thigh strap 508.FIGS. 64 and 65 show an embodiment of coupling device 580 that comprisesblock 582 and fall protection safety harness 570 (a form of humaninterface system 500). FIGS. 64 and 65 show the front view and the rearview of wearer 200 where two button assemblies 614, are coupled to fallprotection safety harness 570 on two sides of wearer 200 (Since allprotection safety harness 570 is symmetrical, for brevity, only one sideis shown). In general, one of ordinary skill in the art can coupleeither holding bracket 612 or button assembly 614 to human interfacesystem 500 or a fall protection safety harness (shown in FIGS. 64 and65) using the arrangement shown in FIGS. 61, 62 and 63.

In general FIGS. 44, 45 and FIGS. 59 to 65 teach coupling device 580 orcoupling an exoskeleton to wearer 200. Coupling device 580 comprisehuman interface system 500 which is configured to be worn by the wearer200. Coupling device 580 further comprises block 582 having at least twoopenings 584 and configured to be coupled to the exoskeleton. Inoperation when at least one component of human interface 500 passesthrough at least two openings or at least one component of humaninterface 500 is coupled to two openings, block 582 is secured to humaninterface system 500. As shown in FIGS. 45 and 60, when waist belt 502passes through two openings, block 582 is secured to waist belt 502.FIG. 59 shows the situation where at least one component of humaninterface 500 (waist belt 502) is coupled to two openings 584. As shownin FIGS. 62-65, when shoulder strap 504 passes through two openings,block 582 is secured to shoulder strap 504. As shown in FIGS. 62-65,when thigh strap 508 passes through two openings, block 582 is securedto thigh strap 508.

What is claimed is:
 1. A coupling device for coupling an exoskeleton toa wearer, said coupling device comprising: a human interface system,configured to be worn by the wearer, and a quick release mechanism,comprising at least a first configuration and a second configuration forcoupling and uncoupling said human interface system to at least onecomponent of said exoskeleton, wherein in the first configuration, thequick release mechanism is configured to couple the exoskeleton to thehuman interface system in a manner that prevents the exoskeleton frombecoming uncoupled from said human interface system, and wherein in thesecond configuration, the quick release mechanism is configured in amanner to allow the exoskeleton to be uncoupled from the human interfacesystem.
 2. The coupling device of claim 1, wherein said quick releasemechanism comprises a button assembly, a holding bracket, and a cavity,wherein: the button assembly is operable to be coupled to one of thesaid human interface system and at least a component of saidexoskeleton, the holding bracket is operable to be coupled to anotherone of the said human interface system and at least the component ofsaid exoskeleton, and the cavity is formed within said holding bracketsuch that said button assembly can be moved into and removed out of saidcavity when said button assembly and said cavity are oriented along afirst orientation relative to each other.
 3. The coupling device ofclaim 2, wherein: for coupling said exoskeleton and said human interfacesystem to each other, after said button assembly is moved into saidcavity, said at least one component of said exoskeleton is configurableto be aligned to a second orientation in which said button assemblycannot be removed from said cavity, and for uncoupling said exoskeletonand said human interface system from each other, said at least onecomponent of said exoskeleton is configurable to be aligned to saidfirst orientation in which said button assembly can be removed from saidcavity.
 4. The coupling device of claim 2, wherein said button assemblycomprises a minimum cross section profile, and said cavity comprises anopening profile, and wherein when said button assembly is oriented suchthat said minimum cross section profile is face to face with said cavityopening profile, said button assembly can be inserted into said cavityand moved out of said cavity and when said button assembly is insertedinto said cavity and aligned such that said minimum cross sectionprofile is not face to face with said cavity opening profile, saidbutton assembly cannot be removed out of said cavity.
 5. The couplingdevice of claim 2, wherein the human interface system comprises at leastone shoulder strap, and wherein said button assembly is configured tocouple to one of the shoulder strap and the exoskeleton and said holdingbracket is coupled to another one of the shoulder strap and theexoskeleton.
 6. The coupling device of claim 2, wherein the humaninterface system comprises a waist belt, and wherein said buttonassembly is configured to couple to one of the waist belt and theexoskeleton and said holding bracket is coupled to another one of thewaist belt and the exoskeleton.
 7. The coupling device of claim 2,wherein the human interface system comprises a thigh strap, and whereinsaid button assembly is configured to couple to one of the thigh strapand the exoskeleton and said holding bracket is coupled to another oneof the thigh strap and the exoskeleton.
 8. The coupling device of claim1, wherein the human interface system is selected from the groupconsisting of a safety harness, a fall protection safety harness, a fallprevention harness, a waist belt, a safety belt, a fall protectionsafety belt, a tool belt harness, a tool belt, a climbing harness, andcombinations thereof.
 9. The coupling device of claim 1, wherein saidexoskeleton comprises: a supporting trunk configured to be coupled to atrunk of the wearer; first and second thigh links configured to move inunison with thighs of the wearer in manner resulting in flexion andextension of the first and second thigh links relative to saidsupporting trunk; and first and second torque generators configured tobe located on both left and right halves of said wearer, coupling saidsupporting trunk to said first and second thigh links respectively andconfigured to generate torque between said first and second thigh linksand said supporting trunk.
 10. A coupling device for coupling anexoskeleton to a wearer, said coupling device comprising: a humaninterface system, configured to be worn by the wearer, and a clampingdevice, for coupling and uncoupling said exoskeleton to and from saidhuman interface system, wherein said clamping device comprises an outerplate and an inner plate, wherein said outer plate is configured to becoupled to said exoskeleton, and wherein when said inner plate and outerplate are pushed against each other, at least one component of saidhuman interface system is clamped between said inner plate and saidouter plate.
 11. The coupling device of claim 10, wherein said innerplate and said outer plate are capable of rotation relative to eachother.
 12. The coupling device of claim 10, wherein said inner plate andsaid outer plate are pushed against each other by use of fasteners. 13.The coupling device of claim 10, further comprising a spring configuredto push said inner plate and said outer plate toward each other.
 14. Thecoupling device of claim 10, wherein said clamping device furthercomprises a spring plunger configured to lock and release the outerplate from a clamping position of the outer plate.
 15. The couplingdevice of claim 10, wherein the at least one component of the humaninterface system comprises a waist belt.
 16. The coupling device ofclaim 10, wherein the at least one component of the human interfacesystem comprises a shoulder strap.
 17. The coupling device of claim 10,wherein the at least one component of the human interface systemcomprises a thigh strap.
 18. The coupling device of claim 10, whereinsaid exoskeleton is configured to be coupled to the outer plate using aquick release mechanism, wherein said quick release mechanism comprises:a button assembly, operable to be coupled to one of the said humaninterface system and at least a component of said exoskeleton, a holdingbracket, operable to be coupled to another one of the said humaninterface system and at least a component of said exoskeleton, and acavity formed within said holding bracket such that said button assemblycan be moved into and removed out of said cavity when said buttonassembly and said cavity are oriented along a first orientation relativeto each other.
 19. The coupling device of claim 18, wherein: forcoupling said exoskeleton and said human interface system to each other,after said button assembly is moved into said cavity, said at least onecomponent of said exoskeleton is configurable to be aligned to a secondorientation in which said button assembly cannot be removed from saidcavity, and for uncoupling said exoskeleton and said human interfacesystem from each other, said at least one component of the exoskeletonis configurable to be aligned to said first orientation in which saidbutton assembly can be removed from said cavity.
 20. The coupling deviceof claim 10, wherein the human interface system is selected from thegroup consisting of a safety harness, a fall protection safety harness,a fall prevention harness, a waist belt, a safety belt, a fallprotection safety belt, a tool belt harness, a tool belt, a climbingharness, and combinations thereof.
 21. The coupling device of claim 10,wherein said exoskeleton comprises: a supporting trunk configured to becoupled to a trunk of the wearer; first and second thigh linksconfigured to move in unison with thighs of the wearer in mannerresulting in flexion and extension of the first and second thigh linksrelative to said supporting trunk; and first and second torquegenerators configured to be located on both left and right halves ofsaid wearer, coupling said supporting trunk to said first and secondthigh links respectively and configured to generate torque between saidfirst and second thigh links and said supporting trunk.
 22. A couplingdevice for coupling an exoskeleton to a wearer, said coupling devicecomprising: a human interface system, configured to be worn by thewearer, and a block, having at least two openings and configured to becoupled to said exoskeleton, wherein when at least one component of saidhuman interface system passes through said at least two openings, andwherein said block is secured to said human interface system.
 23. Thecoupling device of claim 22, wherein said at least one component of saidhuman interface system is a waist belt.
 24. The coupling device of claim22, wherein said at least one component of said human interface systemis a shoulder strap.
 25. The coupling device of claim 22, wherein saidat least one component of said human interface system is a thigh strap.26. The coupling device of claim 22, wherein said exoskeleton is coupledto said block through a quick release mechanism wherein said quickrelease mechanism comprises: a button assembly operable to be coupled toone of the said human interface system and at least a component of saidexoskeleton, a holding bracket, operable to be coupled to another one ofthe said human interface system and at least a component of saidexoskeleton, and a cavity formed within said holding bracket such thatsaid button assembly can be moved into and removed out of said cavitywhen said button assembly and said cavity are oriented along a firstorientation relative to each other.
 27. The coupling device of claim 26,wherein: for coupling said exoskeleton and said human interface systemto each other, after said button assembly is moved into said cavity,said at least one component of said exoskeleton is configurable to bealigned to a second orientation in which said button assembly cannot beremoved from said cavity, and for uncoupling said exoskeleton and saidhuman interface system from each other, said at least one component ofthe exoskeleton is configurable to be aligned to said first orientationin which said button assembly can be removed from said cavity.
 28. Thecoupling device of claim 22, wherein the human interface system isselected from the group consisting of a safety harness, a fallprotection safety harness, a fall prevention harness, a waist belt, asafety belt, a fall protection safety belt, a tool belt harness, a toolbelt, a climbing harness, and combinations thereof.
 29. The couplingdevice of claim 22, wherein said exoskeleton comprises: a supportingtrunk configured to be coupled to a trunk of the wearer; first andsecond thigh links configured to move in unison with thighs of thewearer in manner resulting in flexion and extension of the first andsecond thigh links relative to said supporting trunk; and first andsecond torque generators configured to be located on both left and righthalves of said wearer, coupling said supporting trunk to said first andsecond thigh links respectively and configured to generate torquebetween said first and second thigh links and said supporting trunk.